Difference between revisions of "Lantern of shadows"

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{{flavour|An unholy device which calls forth flickering shadows to assist its wielder. It shrouds the wielder in unnatural darkness, making them unstealthy and significantly reducing the power of their spells.}}
  
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{{flavour|An unholy device which calls on the powers of darkness to assist its user, with a small cost attached.}}
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The '''lantern of shadows''' is a "[[weapon]]" which reduces your [[line of sight]], but with a number of penalties.
  
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== Operation ==
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==Useful Info==
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Unlike most of the miscellaneous items, the '''lantern of shadows''' is not evoked; it is activated whenever it is wielded as a "weapon." When wielded, this sinister device will dim the natural light of the dungeon around the user, erasing all colours and reducing his or her [[line of sight]] (and the monsters' as well) by 2 tiles. This gives you 6 tiles from the usual 8 tiles. If one has the nightstalker demonspawn mutation, this reduces it even further.
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When [[wield]]ed in the weapon slot, the lantern of shadows does the following:
  
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As well, friendly [[shadow]]s will begin to spawn from the lantern, and be attracted to flutter around it like moths until they expire. The [[good gods]] take this as Necromancy. [[Okawaru]] does not like it when they are destroyed. The shadows will remain (and stay friendly) for a while after the Lantern is unwielded. The shadows follow you around levels. Ideal for exploring new stairs.
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*Reduces your [[LOS]] by 2 tiles (from 8 to 6). This stacks with other sources of LOS reduction.
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*Passively [[summon]]s friendly [[shadow]]s, who are attracted to the lantern and will flutter around it. The chance per turn to create a shadow is increased by [[Evocations]]. They disappear as soon as you unwield the lantern.
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*Greatly reduces your [[spell power]]. It acts as a two negative [[spell enhancer]]s, i.e. it is equal to losing 2 sources of [[Archmagi]].
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*[[Stealth]] score is reduced to 0.
  
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The lantern also works as a double negative spell enhancer ("extremely numb sensation" if unenhanced). That is to say, it would cancel the effects of ''two'' rings of fire if you tried to cast a fire spell while wielding it. (Obviously, you can't combine it with a staff!).
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While wielding the lantern, 1 [[MP]] is drained per turn. If you are at 0 MP, all shadows vanish and no more will spawn, though the other effects still apply.
  
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[[Stealth]] is set to 0 (extremely unstealthy) if you're wielding a Lantern of Shadows.
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The lantern is not a proper weapon; attacking in melee causes you to "clumsily bash", as if you tried to melee with a [[scroll]], [[ranged weapon]], etc.
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
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This item can be useful for escapes. Monsters cannot attack when outside ''your'' LOS, so the LOS reduction is helpful when covering your retreat. But it's finnicky, to say the least. With no weapon, no stealth, and reduced spell power, it is useful only as a swapout.
  
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This item is finnicky, to say the least. In exchange for reduced LOS and friendly shadows constantly surrounding you, you will have impeded melee combat, impeded spellcasting, and no ability to sneak up on monsters.  Mostly these lanterns can be useful for escape: the reduced LOS will help you leave monsters behind (remember, it's reciprocal), while the shadows can help cover your retreat.  But don't expect the shadows to kill much - they're outclassed by the later levels of Lair.
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Shadows can be used for [[kiting]]. These monsters are strong for the early-mid Dungeon, but are weak by late [[Lair]]. However, since you can create 'free' shadows by [[pillar dancing]], they are still valuable to have.
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
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Prior [[0.9]], an unidentified lantern of shadows always appeared as a '''bone lantern'''.
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*The lantern of shadows was removed in [[0.18]].
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*Prior to [[0.16]], lantern of shadows didn't drain MP while in use, and didn't cease to function once its wielder runs dry.  Also, shadows could follow you through stairs, and had regular AI (they didn't flutter).
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*Prior to [[0.13]], the spawn rate of shadows did not scale with [[Evocations]].
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*Prior [[0.9]], an unidentified lantern of shadows always appeared as a '''bone lantern'''.

Latest revision as of 20:55, 7 October 2023

Obsolete: This article refers to an aspect of the game which has been removed. It is retained for historical reference only.
Type Miscellaneous item
Name lantern of shadows
Icon Lantern of shadows.png
An unholy device which calls forth flickering shadows to assist its wielder. It shrouds the wielder in unnatural darkness, making them unstealthy and significantly reducing the power of their spells.

The lantern of shadows is a "weapon" which reduces your line of sight, but with a number of penalties.

Useful Info

When wielded in the weapon slot, the lantern of shadows does the following:

  • Reduces your LOS by 2 tiles (from 8 to 6). This stacks with other sources of LOS reduction.
  • Passively summons friendly shadows, who are attracted to the lantern and will flutter around it. The chance per turn to create a shadow is increased by Evocations. They disappear as soon as you unwield the lantern.
  • Greatly reduces your spell power. It acts as a two negative spell enhancers, i.e. it is equal to losing 2 sources of Archmagi.
  • Stealth score is reduced to 0.

While wielding the lantern, 1 MP is drained per turn. If you are at 0 MP, all shadows vanish and no more will spawn, though the other effects still apply.

The lantern is not a proper weapon; attacking in melee causes you to "clumsily bash", as if you tried to melee with a scroll, ranged weapon, etc.

Strategy

This item can be useful for escapes. Monsters cannot attack when outside your LOS, so the LOS reduction is helpful when covering your retreat. But it's finnicky, to say the least. With no weapon, no stealth, and reduced spell power, it is useful only as a swapout.

Shadows can be used for kiting. These monsters are strong for the early-mid Dungeon, but are weak by late Lair. However, since you can create 'free' shadows by pillar dancing, they are still valuable to have.

History

  • The lantern of shadows was removed in 0.18.
  • Prior to 0.16, lantern of shadows didn't drain MP while in use, and didn't cease to function once its wielder runs dry. Also, shadows could follow you through stairs, and had regular AI (they didn't flutter).
  • Prior to 0.13, the spawn rate of shadows did not scale with Evocations.
  • Prior 0.9, an unidentified lantern of shadows always appeared as a bone lantern.
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